TORONTO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index
slipped on Tuesday, as weakness led by weighty financials
outweighed rising oil and gold prices and U.S. data that lent
support to the view of a stabilizing economy.

Toronto's index bounced back from initial weakness at the
opening bell as the price of oil turned higher above $70 a
barrel, which helped the oil and gas sector gain 0.25 percent.

Gold issues were also firmer alongside the price of gold,
which boosted the materials group.

Also on the upside, Research in Motion RIM.TORIMM.O led
all influential gainers, rising 3.3 percent to C$83.01 after
Credit Suisse raised the Blackberry maker to outperform
rating.

The index added gains on stronger-than-expected readings on
manufacturing and housing, though the impact was short-lived.
The U.S. manufacturing sector grew in August in the first month
of expansion in more than a year and a half, while pending
sales of previously owned U.S. homes raced to a two-year high
in July. [ID:nWEN2981] [ID:nN01483755]
Continued...